Exit code 6 or Exit code 7 installation errors | CS

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Exit code 6 or exit code 7 during installation

When installing a Creative Suite (CS5, CS5.5, CS6) application, Photoshop Elements, or Premiere Elements, you receive one of the following errors:

  • Exit Code: 6
  • Exit Code: 7

These codes indicate that the installation finished with errors.

Try the following solutions in order. Stop when you've successfully installed your app.

Installing Creative Cloud?

For help resolving an exit code 6 or exit code 7 error you receive while installing a Creative Cloud product, see Exit code 6 or Exit code 7 install errors | CC.

Solution 1: (Windows only) Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

  1. Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features.

  2. Check for Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Packages installed.

    Note:

    You can search your Adobe main install log file to find the exact version of the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package that caused the error. Then, either repair or reinstall only that version.

  3. One by one, right-click each version, select Change, and click Repair in the next window.

    Note:

    If Change isn't available for a version, you can uninstall and then reinstall the files. Visit the Microsoft Download Center to download a new copy of the redistributable package installation files.

  4. Restart your computer.

  5. Reinstall your Adobe application.

Solution 2: Rename Adobe folders in the Applications or Program Files folder

Note: Before attempting this solution, make sure that you have attempted to uninstall the programs you're trying to install.

Often, files left over from previous install attempts can lead to read or write file system errors. Check the Applications (macOS) or Program Files (Windows) folders for folders left from a previous installation or update attempt.

  1. Navigate to:

    Mac OS: /Applications

    Windows: C:\Program Files\Adobe\

  2. Look for folders that are clearly named for the applications you are trying to install, and rename them. For example, rename "Adobe Photoshop CC" to "Adobe Photoshop CC old."

  3. Check for a folder named "AdobePatchFiles" and rename it.

  4. (macOS only) Rename the "Adobe" folder in the Applications folder to "Adobe old."

  5. Reinstall the software.

  6. If your installation is successful, confirm that your other Adobe applications are working, and then delete the renamed folders.

Solution 3: Restart your computer in safe mode

  1. Restart your computer following the instructions in one of these documents:

    Windows 10

    See Start your PC in safe mode in Windows 10.

    Windows 8

    See Windows Startup Settings (including safe mode).

    Mac OS

    See Start in Safe Boot mode | Mac OS X.

  2. Reinstall your Adobe app.

Solution 4: (Windows only) Repair the Microsoft Windows Installer

Windows 7/8.1/10

  1. (Windows 7) Choose Start > All Programs > Accessories.

    -or-

    (Windows 8.1/10) Right-click the Start menu icon.

  2. (Windows 7) Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run As administrator.

    -or-

    (Windows 8.1/10) Choose Command Prompt (Admin).

  3. In the Command Prompt window, type sfc /SCANNOW and press Enter.

  4. When the system scan completes, type msiexec /unreg in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

  5. Type msiexec /regserver in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.

  6. Reinstall your Adobe app.

Windows XP/Vista

Download and install the newest Microsoft Windows Installer Redistributable pack. Then reinstall your Adobe app.

Solution 5: Uninstall Adobe AIR, then reinstall AIR and Adobe Help

  1. Uninstall Adobe AIR:

    Windows Vista/7/8/10

    Open the Control Panel. Under Programs, click Uninstall a program. Select Adobe AIR, and then click Uninstall.

    Windows XP

    Choose Start > Control Panel, double-click Add Or Remove Programs, and select Adobe AIR. Then click Uninstall.

    Mac OS

    Drag the AIR app to the Trash.

  2. Navigate to the AdobeHelp payloads folder. For example:

    Windows

    D:\Adobe Master Collection CS5\Adobe CS5\payloads\AdobeHelp

    Mac OS

    /Volumes/Adobe Master Collection/Adobe CS5/payloads/AdobeHelp

  3. Double-click AIRInstallerRunner.exe (Windows) or Adobe AIR Installer.app (macOS).

  4. Follow the onscreen instructions.
  5. Return to the payloads folder.

  6. Double-click AdobeHelp.air and follow the onscreen instructions.

  7. Reinstall your Adobe app. 

Solution 6: Review the installation log file

Exit code 6 and Exit code 7 are generic error codes. To help determine the exact cause of the error, look at the installation log under "There are problems with your installation." The error message describing what went wrong appears below the exit code.

For details on where to find log files and how to review them, see Troubleshoot install issues with log files | CS.

Solution 7: Verify file permissions

These errors can indicate a problem with file permissions. To resolve them, verify that you have read and write access to the necessary files and folders.

  1. Check the main installation log for the error codes and record any file paths associated with the error messages.

    Note:

    See Troubleshoot install issues with log files | CS for information about opening and reading the log file.

  2. Identify the parent folder (or directory) in the file path for each error message. The parent folder is the folder directly before the final folder in the error message.

    Identify the parent folder for each error message.

  3. Close all Adobe applications.
  4. Follow instructions below for your operating system to modify permissions.
    Note:

    This solution requires administrative privileges on your computer. Log in with an administrative user account.

  1. Choose Start > File Explorer > This PC.

  2. Navigate to the parent folder. For example, Windows (C:) > Program Files > Common Files > Adobe.

  3. Right-click on the folder, and then choose Properties.

  4. In the Attributes section, deselect Read-only and click Apply.

  5. Click the Security tab.

  6. Under Group or user names, click System and make sure that Full control is selected in the Permissions section. If it is not selected, do the following:

    1. Click Edit.
    2. In the Permissions dialog box that opens, click System.
    3. Under Permissions for System, click the check box in the Allow column next to Full control.
    4. Click Apply, and then OK.

  7. Repeat step 6, selecting Administrators under Group or user names.

  8. Repeat the process for any additional paths from the error message logs.

  9. Reinstall your Adobe application.

  1. Open File Explorer: Click the upper-right corner of the screen, click Search, type File Explorer, and then click File Explorer.

  2. Navigate to the parent folder. For example, Windows (C:) > Program Files > Common Files > Adobe.

  3. Right-click on the folder, and then choose Properties.

  4. In the Attributes section, deselect Read-only and click Apply.

  5. In the Confirm Attribute Changes dialog box, click OK to apply the changes to this folder, subfolders, and files.

  6. Click the Security tab.

  7. Under Group or user names, click System and make sure that Full control is selected in the Permissions section. If it is not selected, do the following:

    1. Click Edit.
    2. In the Permissions dialog box that opens, click System.
    3. Under Permissions for System, click the check box in the Allow column next to Full control.
    4. Click Apply, and then OK.

  8. Repeat step 7, selecting Administrators under Group or user names.

  9. Repeat the process for any additional paths from the error message logs.

  10. Reinstall your Adobe application.

  1. Choose Start > Computer > Organize > Folder and search options, and then click the View tab.

  2. In the Advanced Settings section, deselect Use sharing wizard (recommended) and click OK.

  3. Navigate to the parent folder.

  4. Right-click the folder, and then choose Properties.

  5. In the Attributes section, deselect Read-only and click Apply.

  6. In the Confirm Attribute Changes dialog box, click OK to apply the changes to this folder, subfolders, and files.

  7. In the Security tab, make sure that permissions are set to Full control for both Administrators and System. If not, do the following:

    1. Click Edit.
    2. If the User Account Control (UAC) prompt appears, follow the instructions to accept it.
    3. Change the settings as necessary to allow full control for both System and Administrators.
    4. Click OK to accept the changes.

  8. Click Advanced, select the Owner tab, and then click Edit. Accept the UAC prompt if it appears.

  9. In the Change owner to section, click Administrators and select Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. Click Apply, and then click OK.

  10. In the Permissions tab, click Change Permissions. Accept the UAC prompt if it appears.

  11. Select Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object.

  12. Click OK and Yes until you've closed the Properties dialog box.

  13. Repeat the process on any additional file paths.

  14. Reinstall your Adobe application.

  1. (Windows XP Home only) Restart in safe mode by pressing F8 as you start up and selecting Safe Mode from the list of startup options.

    Note:

    For additional assistance with Safe Mode, see the Microsoft support website.

  2. Choose Start > My Computer > Folder Options, and then click the View tab.

  3. In the Advanced Settings section, deselect Use simple file sharing (recommended) and click OK.

  4. Navigate to the parent folder.  

  5. Right-click the folder, and then choose Properties.

  6. In the Attributes section, deselect Read-only, click Apply, and then click OK.

  7. In the Security tab, make sure that Administrators And System is listed and permissions for security are set to Full control.

  8. Click Advanced, select the Owner tab, and select Administrators.

  9. Select Replace owner on subcontainers and objects, click Apply, and then click Yes.

  10. In the Permissions tab, select Replace permission entries on all child objects with entries shown here that apply to child objects and click OK.

  11. Click Yes and OK until you've closed the Installers Properties dialog box.

  12. Repeat the process on any remaining file paths.

  13. Reinstall your Adobe application.

  1. Navigate to the parent folder.

  2. Control-click the folder and choose Get Info.

  3. In the Sharing & Permissions section, click the Details option, if necessary, to show owner and group options.

  4. Click the lock icon in the lower-right corner. Type your administrator user name and password when prompted.

  5. Give read and write permissions to your user name, system, admin, and everyone.

  6. Click the gear icon, choose Apply to enclosed items, and then click OK.

  7. Close the Get Info window.

  8. Repeat the process on the remaining paths.

  9. Reinstall your Adobe application.

Solution 8: Install Adobe Drive

To install Adobe Drive, install the CS6 version of Photoshop, InDesign, InCopy, Illustrator, or Bridge. For more information, see Adobe Drive CC Localized Installer Error Messages.

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